Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
If you are thinking about going to business school, the GMAT is almost always a necessary part of your application. A 3½ hour computerized exam, the GMAT tests analytical writing skills, quantitative skills and verbal skills (reading comprehension, sentence correction and critical reasoning) through 78 multiple choice questions and two analytical essays. An estimated 110,000 individuals take the GMAT each year. At least 1,500 graduate business and management programs use GMAT scores as part of their application process. Your GMAT score is valid for five years.
Brief overview of the GMAT
Now that you are all set to take a leap in the business world, the first step you have to take is to beat the GMAT. Before you beat the test, let’s take a look at
What is the GMAT test, and why should you take it?
The Graduate Management Admission Test, commonly known as GMAT, is a computer adaptive test (CAT). Most business schools make use of the GMAT score during their admission process. Based on the schools you are applying for, the GMAT score is important in determining your acceptance. A ‘Good’ GMAT score varies with different schools. Therefore, make sure you look at the schools to determine and understand their unique requirements.
What is tested on the GMAT test?
There are four sections that make up the GMAT Test: an Analytical Writing Assessment section, an Integrated Reasoning section, a Quantitative Section and a Verbal Section.
Scoring system on the GMAT?
The widely familiar number on the GMAT is the Overall, aka composite, GMAT score. Ranging from 200 – 800, the score is a combination of your Verbal and Quant score. This score has a 10-point increment. Business schools pay more attention to this Overall score.
The Verbal and Quant sections of your GMAT test are graded independently, and although the scores for each section range from 0 to 60, scores less than 8 and more than 51 are seldom encountered.
The Integrated Reasoning section scores range from 1 to 8 in increments of 1-point. Certain questions have sub-parts, and one must get each part correct in order to get marks for the question. This score is not included in the Composite score.
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section scores range from 0 to 6. Even the AWA section is not added towards ones composite score.
The GMAT score is valid for five years.
How to register for the GMAT?
Visit mba.com to register to take the GMAT test.
How to prepare for the GMAT?
We can help you to prepare. We have convenient and personalized GMAT prep solutions that fit any learning style and schedule. Come in and take a Free Diagnostic Test!
The GRE®, GMAT®, business school and you.
If you want to apply to business school but don’t want to take the GMAT, you may be in luck. More than 1,200 MBA programs now accept the GRE General Test in lieu of the GMAT for admissions, and that means more options for you. Admissions trends are showing that business schools are looking for applicants with more than just a background and experience in business, and that means that the GMAT is not the only test in the game anymore. Before you choose which test to take, you should find out what the schools you are applying to are looking for, and from there the choice is all up to you.
What’s the difference?
The GMAT and the GRE are very different tests, but they have one thing in common. No matter which test you decide to take, you’ll need to prepare if you want to get a score that admissions officers can’t ignore. Once you pick the test you want to take, your next step should be to choose how you want to prep for that test. We have prep options for both the GMAT and GRE to ensure you get the best score possible.
To help you compare the differences between the tests, check out this handy chart.
